Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN
American Institute for Cancer Research
Q: Are brown eggs more nutritious than regular white eggs?
A: Many people assume that eggs with brown shells are more nutritious, or that they come from organically raised hens, but that’s not true. The breed of hen that lays an egg determines the color of its shell, with the hen’s diet possibly adding slight variations. White hens lay white eggs and dark hens lay brown eggs. Shell color does not indicate egg quality, flavor, nutritional value or cooking characteristics. Whether shells are brown or white, nutritional quality of an egg reflects the diet and health of the hen that laid it. For example, hens with diets higher in vitamin D, selenium, omega-3 fat (from plants such as hemp seed), or carotenoids (from dark green forage, such as kale) produce eggs higher in those nutrients.
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the cancer charity that fosters research on the relationship of nutrition, physical activity and weight management to cancer risk, interprets the scientific literature and educates the public about the results. It has contributed more than $96 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across the country. AICR has published two landmark reports that interpret the accumulated research in the field, and is committed to a process of continuous review. AICR also provides a wide range of educational programs to help millions of Americans learn to make dietary changes for lower cancer risk. Its award-winning New American Plate program is presented in brochures, seminars and on its website, www.aicr.org. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.
Published on 10/21/2013